EMERGENCY:
From Your Cell Phone Dial or Text 9-1-1 (Local Police, Fire, and EMS)
SUICIDE CRISIS HOTLINE:
Dial or Text 9-8-8
Department Administrative Office
Suite 4124, Hampton IV Building
521 Butler Farm Road
Hampton, Virginia 23666
Communications Center: 757-825-2732
Email: police-safety-security@vpcc.edu
About the Department of Police, Safety, and Security
- The Virginia Peninsula Community College Department of Police, Safety, and Security deploys a combination of police, safety, security, and communications officers who are committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that facilitates a culture of safety, security, risk and hazard mitigation, and emergency preparedness which supports educational delivery, student learning, creative collaboration, and active engagement opportunities for students, faculty, staff and visitors of our College.
- All Virginia Peninsula Community College police and security officers are fully certified by Virginia’s Department of Criminal Justice Services. Our police officers are sworn to serve, protect, and preserve the public peace, protect life and property, and uphold Virginia’s laws, and have the same authority and responsibilities as all other law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our security and safety officers are charged with enforcing the College’s regulations. Our Communications Officers staff the department’s communications center and work to facilitate the flow of information between callers in need of information and/or services and responding department members.
- All department members are responsible for the provision of services that identify and mitigate threats, hazards, and risks through professional development, exercises, planning, response, and the employment of best practices in campus/community policing, crime prevention, safety and security practices, routine visibility, campus and community collaboration. We are dedicated to your well-being.
Department of Police, Safety, and Security Mission Statement
- The mission of the Virginia Peninsula Community College Department of Police, Safety and Security is to promote a safe and secure environment and community, deter crime and mitigate injury, and encourage positive and trusting relationships while effectively and efficiently serving students, staff, faculty, and the community.
Department of Police, Safety, and Security Outcomes
- Department police officers, safety officers, security officers, and communications officers work diligently every day to:
- Promote a safe and secure campus environment and community.
- Deter crime and mitigating injury.
- Encourage positive and trusting relationships.
- Serve the students, staff, faculty, and community.
- Ensure efficient and effective operations.
Our Department Emblems
- The official emblem of the Department of Police, Safety, and Security was designed by one of the department’s police officers in 2022. The redesign of the department’s emblem coincided with the renaming of the college. The original design was initially only used as the “Police” emblem. The officer’s design was later adapted across all of the service areas provided by the department and is proudly displayed by department members in the performance of their duties based upon their assignment within the department.
Annual Security Report and Crime Statistics
- Colleges and universities that receive funding from federal financial aid programs are required to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Virginia Peninsula Community College discloses crime statistics and publishes an Annual Security Report, as well as provides additional information required by the Jeanne Clery Act. To review this information visit the College’s Jeanne Clery Act Information and Statistics webpage.
Department of Police, Safety, and Security Mission Statement
- The mission of the Virginia Peninsula Community College Department of Police, Safety and Security is to promote a safe and secure environment and community, deter crime and mitigate injury, and encourage positive and trusting relationships while effectively and efficiently serving students, staff, faculty, and the community.
Department of Police, Safety, and Security Outcomes
- Promote a safe and secure campus environment and community.
- Deter crime and mitigating injury.
- Encourage positive and trusting relationships.
- Serve the students, staff, faculty, and community.
- Ensure efficient and effective operations.
Our Department Emblems
- The official emblem of the Department of Police, Safety, and Security was designed by one of the department’s police officers in 2022. The redesign of the department’s emblem coincided with the renaming of the college. The original design was initially only used as the “Police” emblem. The officer’s design was later adapted across all of the service areas provided by the department and is proudly displayed by department members in the performance of their duties based upon their assignment within the department.
If You See Something, Say Something – REPORT IT!
- Emergency or Crime in Progress – Dial or Text 911 – When Safe to do so!
- Non-Life-Threatening Behavioral Health Crisis – Dial or Text 988.
- Virginia Peninsula Community College is committed to providing an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination, The College is committed to providing an educational environment free of all forms of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct, discrimination, as well as prevents and deters criminal and unlawful behavior, based on any status protected by law. As required by Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Act, the College requires all employees, and strongly encourages all students, guests, and/or contractors to report incidents and/or crimes immediately. Non-emergency reports can be submitted by using the REPORT IT! webpage.
Stay Connected & Receive Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications
- Virginia Peninsula Community College provides Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications via the VPCC Gator Ready App and VPCC Gator Alert Emergency Notification System. Learn more, download the app, and register for emergency notifications by visiting the VPCC Gator Ready and Gator Alert webpage.
Community Policing Act
Effective July 1, 2021, the Virginia General Assembly enacted the Community Policing Act, which is found in the Code of Virginia §15.2-1722.1, and defined below:
§ 15.2-1722.1. Prohibited practices; collection of data.
- No law-enforcement officer shall engage in bias-based profiling as defined in § 52-30.1 in the performance of his official duties.
- The police force of every locality shall collect data pertaining to (i) all investigatory motor vehicle stops, (ii) all stop-and-frisks of a person based on reasonable suspicion, and (iii) all other investigatory detentions that do not result in an arrest or the issuance of a summons pursuant to § 52-30.2 and report such data to the Department of State Police for inclusion in the Community Policing Reporting Database established pursuant to § 52-30.3. The chief of police of the locality shall be responsible for forwarding the data to the Superintendent of State Police.
- The chief of police of the locality shall post the data that has been forwarded for inclusion in the Community Policing Reporting Database on a website that is maintained by the chief of police or on any other website on which the chief of police generally posts information and that is available to the public or that clearly describes how the public may access such data.
§ 52-30.1. Definition – Virginia Law
- For purposes of this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning, “bias-based profiling” means actions of a law-enforcement officer that are based solely on the real or perceived race, ethnicity, age, gender, or any combination thereof, or other noncriminal characteristics of an individual, except when such characteristics are used in combination with other identifying factors in seeking to apprehend a suspect who matches a specific description.
§ 52-30.2. Prohibited practices; collection of data.
- No State Police officer shall engage in bias-based profiling in the performance of his official duties.
- State Police officers shall collect data pertaining to (i) all investigatory motor vehicle stops, (ii) all stop-and-frisks of a person based on reasonable suspicion, and (iii) all other investigatory detentions that do not result in an arrest or the issuance of a summons to be reported into the Community Policing Reporting Database. State Police officers shall submit the data to their commanding officers, who shall forward it to the Superintendent of State Police.
- Each time a law-enforcement officer or State Police officer stops a driver of a motor vehicle, stops and frisks a person based on reasonable suspicion, or temporarily detains a person during any other investigatory stop, such officer shall collect the following data based on the officer’s observation or information provided to the officer by the driver: (i) the race, ethnicity, age, gender of the person stopped, and whether the person stopped spoke English; (ii) the reason for the stop; (iii) the location of the stop; (iv) whether a warning, written citation, or summons was issued or whether any person was arrested; (v) if a warning, written citation, or summons was issued or an arrest was made, the warning provided, violation charged, or crime charged; (vi) whether the vehicle or any person was searched; and (vii) whether the law-enforcement officer or State Police officer used physical force against any person and whether any person used physical force against any officers.
- Each state and local law-enforcement agency shall collect the number of complaints the agency receives alleging the use of excessive force.
§ 52-30.2. Prohibited practices; collection of data.
- No State Police officer shall engage in bias-based profiling in the performance of his official duties.
- State Police officers shall collect data pertaining to (i) all investigatory motor vehicle stops, (ii) all stop-and-frisks of a person based on reasonable suspicion, and (iii) all other investigatory detentions that do not result in an arrest or the issuance of a summons to be reported into the Community Policing Reporting Database. State Police officers shall submit the data to their commanding officers, who shall forward it to the Superintendent of State Police.
- Each time a law-enforcement officer or State Police officer stops a driver of a motor vehicle, stops and frisks a person based on reasonable suspicion, or temporarily detains a person during any other investigatory stop, such officer shall collect the following data based on the officer’s observation or information provided to the officer by the driver: (i) the race, ethnicity, age, gender of the person stopped, and whether the person stopped spoke English; (ii) the reason for the stop; (iii) the location of the stop; (iv) whether a warning, written citation, or summons was issued or whether any person was arrested; (v) if a warning, written citation, or summons was issued or an arrest was made, the warning provided, violation charged, or crime charged; (vi) whether the vehicle or any person was searched; and (vii) whether the law-enforcement officer or State Police officer used physical force against any person and whether any person used physical force against any officers.
- Each state and local law-enforcement agency shall collect the number of complaints the agency receives alleging the use of excessive force.
Crime in Virginia
- The most updated portion of the Uniform Crime Reporting Section of the Department of the State Police entitled “Crime in Virginia” must be made available to any interested party upon request as it pertains to institutions of higher education.
- This document can be accessed by either requesting a paper copy via the Department of Police, Safety, and Security email (police-safety-security@vpcc.edu) or by physically picking up a copy at the Department’s Administrative Office, located in Suite 4124 of the Hampton IV Building, 521 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, Virginia 23666.
- You can also access directly by clicking here.
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
- As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against abuse or disorder; and to respect the constitution rights of all liberty, equality, and justice.
- I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency.
- I will maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed both in my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelations are necessary in the performance of my duty.
- I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, political beliefs, aspirations, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or abuse and never accepting gratuities.
- I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held as long as I am true to the ethics of police service. I will never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will I condone such acts by other police officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice.
- I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve my level of knowledge and competence.
- I will constantly strive to achieve objectives and ideas, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession…. law enforcement.
Tell Us How We Are Doing: Compliments, Concerns, Commendations, Complaints
- We Want to Hear from You: Please take a moment to share your feedback with our department. Use our feedback form to share your comments, compliments, concerns, commendations, or complaints regarding our services and/or personnel! DO NOT use this form to report incidents or crimes, this is not a link to the college’s reporting systems. Feedback submissions are NOT monitored 24/7.
Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility – Prepare to Take Action Now
- VPCC’s Take Action Guides provide preparedness and response information for a variety or potential situations, incidents, and/or emergencies, review VPCC’s Take Action Guides before you need to Take Action!
Timely Care Behavioral Health and Wellness Assistance for Students & Employees
- If you or someone you know is experiencing a behavioral health crisis or is suicidal, please dial or text 9-8-8 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Please know that this may elicit a response by local emergency services, behavioral health professionals, or members of the Department of Police, Safety, and Security.
- The Department of Police, Safety, and Security has officers who have completed Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training.
- Virginia Peninsula Community College employees and students have FREE, 24/7 access to virtual care services with TimelyCare — the virtual health and well-being platform from TimelyCare, designed for college students. Students do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services. Download the app here.